Is The Recruiter Still Alive After “Squid Game 2?” Some Fans Think So

Netflix‘s hit Korean thriller series, Squid Game, returned with its anticipated second season on December 26, 2024. It saw the return of many fan-favorite characters, including the Recruiter, portrayed by beloved actor Gong Yoo.

Gong Yoo got a lot more screentime in Season 2, with Seong Gi Hun (Lee Jung Jae) and loan shark company Sunshine Capital members searching for him. While Gong Yoo starred in Episode 1, “Bread and Lottery,” it ended with him losing in his own game of Russian roulette, which resulted in him shooting himself.

the way his facial expression changes when he realizes he lost at his own game 🤌 pic.twitter.com/QVg2IxDew9

— Gong Yoo Archive (@ggyoo_rkive) January 2, 2025

Viewers only see the Recruiter put the gun to his chin and hear a gunshot as it goes black. Episode 2, “Halloween Party,” begins with Choi Woo Seok (Jun Suk Ho) of Sunshine Capital knocking Hwang Jun Ho (Wi Ha Joon) out as the policeman attempted to arrest Gi Hun for the alleged murder of the Recruiter, who was spotted seemingly deceased and bloody.

Viewers praised Gong Yoo’s performance in just these first episodes, as his character died and would never be seen again for the rest of the series.

Did I say that Gong Yoo absolutely stole the show with his single episode like whoever thought of reprising the role of the recruiter thank you because psychopath Gong Yoo was 🔥🔥#SquidGame2 #GongYoo pic.twitter.com/24Q18dxcML

— Daisy 💕 (@daisy_dramas) December 28, 2024

gong yoo exaggerating the asymmetry of his eyes and only smiling with one half of his mouth when he plays the salesman to make him look more unhinged and unpredictable because he literally has two expressions at once me thinks pic.twitter.com/j39rQflCZ3

— dion (@ldwshusband) January 1, 2025

Yet, some eagle-eyed viewers spotted a detail that made some wonder if the Recruiter might return. In Season 1, Jun Ho was shot off a cliff but returned in Season 2. So, anything is possible, right?

“junho is alive and returns to his job. because he loved and looked up to his brother so much, he just can’t let go”

— hajoon on junho’s role in s2 #SquidGame2 pic.twitter.com/SRSy8lmwrh

— wi hajoon pics (@wihajoonspics) December 4, 2024

In this scene at the beginning of Episode 2, while Gi Hun and Woo Seok talk, the Recruiter’s eyes appear to open. This clip went viral with over 151K views at the time of writing.

I knew The Salesman was alive 😂😂😂#SquidGame2 pic.twitter.com/MlnxIGklb8

— ^^; (@gongyoo_ni) January 6, 2025

👀👀
I thought about that myself, but with no conclusion, some things just don't need explanation, I guess

— ^^; (@gongyoo_ni) January 7, 2025

Some wondered if this was a mistake on the actor’s part, but some believed it was intentional, knowing how experienced Gong Yoo is. Many fans hoped it was a hint that the character would return.

Probably was blinking after staying with the eyes open for too long, it was not intentional, I can't believe it is intentional 😂

— ^^; (@gongyoo_ni) January 6, 2025

This doesn’t appear to be a mistake on the editor or actor’s part, as the Recruiter’s eyes stayed open even when Woo Seok went over to yell at him for killing his boss. He didn’t even flinch.

However, it doesn’t mean the Recruiter is returning either. It’s more than likely the Recruiter’s eyes naturally opened as he died, as this is not uncommon.

As a person nears death, their eyes may open – even if only slightly. This happens because of a decrease in muscle tone. The relaxation of facial muscles (as well as medications) can also impact whether or not a person opens their eyes (and starts to move other parts of their body).

This may also explain why some people’s eyes remain open after death. Researchers have also noted that eyes that remain open at the time of death could be due to certain illnesses (like ones that impact the central nervous system, for example).

— Willed

Another moment from Squid Game 2 went viral after eagle-eyed viewers spotted a camera operator. Read more below.

Eagle-Eyed “Squid Game 2” Viewers Spot Unexpected Crew Member In Scene